Review: CIBC Air Canada AC Conversion Card Prepaid Visa

Air Canada AC Conversion Card Introduction

I don’t like bank fees. Actually, I loathe bank fees. As a frequent traveler, I’m quite familiar with all of the extra costs associated with spending money in a foreign currency, with the dreaded foreign exchange fee at the top of my ‘most hated’ list. The foreign exchange fee (or FX fee), is a percentage added on to all purchases made in a foreign currency while abroad. While this fee varies among Canadian credit card issuers, it’s generally around 2.5%. This means for every $100 in foreign spend, you can expect to pay $2.50 in fees, just because. While this may not seem like a lot, these fees add up over time, and can take away money that should be spent on more travel! Enter the Air Canada AC Conversion Card Prepaid Visa!

Unlike other countries, Canada doesn’t actually have many credit cards that offer foreign spending without an added FX fee. One major bank recently launched a premium Visa with no FX fee, but this card has a hefty annual fee and a high income requirement to be approved, which may not be ideal for everyone.

Are You Eligible For The Air Canada AC Conversion Card?

The Air Canada AC Conversion Card is a bit different. It’s free, and it’s prepaid, and doesn’t require a credit check for approval. In order to be eligible, you only need the following:

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[fusion_li_item icon=””]Be a permanent resident of Canada.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Have a Canadian address.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Be the age of majority in your province.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Limit one card order per customer.[/fusion_li_item]
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What Currencies Can You Load On The Air Canada AC Conversion Card?

The Air Canada AC Conversion Card allows you to load 9 commonly used foreign currencies, which means you can lock-in an exchange rate when it’s favourable and not worry about a fluctuating market taking away some of your vacation funds. Current currencies available for pre-loading include:

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[fusion_li_item icon=””]US Dollar (USD)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Euro (EUR)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]British Pound (GBP)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Mexican Pesos (MXN)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Australian Dollar (AUD)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Japanese Yen (JPY)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Turkish Lira (TRY)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]Swiss Franc (CHF)[/fusion_li_item]
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You must load a minimum of $100 Canadian equivalent when adding funds, and otherwise are subjected to the following limits:

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Air Canada AC Conversion Card Fees

The primary reason many people will get this card is to save on FX fees, but should be aware there are some other fees associated with this product in various circumstances. Examples include:

• Foreign spend in a country and you don’t have that currency preloaded on the card
• If you make more than one ATM withdrawal per month while abroad
• You lose your card and need a replacement

While these fees aren’t ideal, keep in mind they really only apply in odd scenarios. For everyday spend as a Visa card in a supported currency, there will be no fees levied, which is the big annoyance from most other travel reward credit cards. A full breakdown of potential fees include:

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Is The Air Canada AC Conversion Card Right For You?

This card MAY NOT be a great fit if:

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[fusion_li_item icon=””]You don’t travel regularly to countries with a supported currency (keep in mind you can still use it worldwide, but would be charged a small fee to spend in a different currency)[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]You already have a premium travel rewards credit card with no FX fee on foreign spend.[/fusion_li_item]
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While I have a wallet full of travel reward cards, this is a product I would actually consider using in certain circumstances.

This card MAY BE great for you if:
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[fusion_li_item icon=””]You like the convenience of using a safe and secure Visa card with worldwide acceptance while travelling.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]You travel regularly to any of the countries with a supported currency, and dislike paying foreign exchange fees when spending your hard earned money.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]You travel on a budget, and want to load only what you can spend.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]You don’t have sufficient income or credit history for a traditional premium travel rewards card.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]You are able to load the card for upcoming travel when exchange rates are favourable, to get more out of your Canadian Dollars.[/fusion_li_item]
[fusion_li_item icon=””]You appreciate 24/7 support and the ability to reload money anytime online or using an app.[/fusion_li_item]
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Order your CIBC Air Canada AC Conversion Card Prepaid Visa and avoid those pesky foreign exchange fees on your next trip!

What are your thoughts on the CIBC Air Canada AC Conversion Card? Let us know in the comment section below!